Mid-century Generation

The "Mid-century Generation" in Spanish literature refers to writers who came of age during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and its aftermath. This generation, also known as the "Generation of 1950," emerged after the initial post-war period of triunfalismo (triumphalism) and focused on "social literature" or "critical realism."1

These writers, often adolescents during the war, expressed a more vigorous, though sometimes covert, opposition to the dictatorship. Their works frequently explored themes of poverty, loneliness, and the struggles of ordinary people, conveying a critical concern for a society whose natural values were under threat. Notable figures include Miguel Delibes, known for novels like La hoja roja and Las ratas, and Carmen Laforet, author of the best-selling Nada. This generation sought to renew intellectual and aesthetic standards, often employing more sophisticated narrative techniques and exploring psychological depth.12